By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
The owner of vicious dogs that killed a passerby last Saturday appeared in court on Tuesday charged with culpable homicide.
Mike Mupinga, 40, was remanded in custody until Friday, with the prosecution indicating they will oppose bail.
Prosecutor Rufaro Chonzi told the court that reasons for opposing bail would be filed on Wednesday.
Defence lawyer Stephen Chikotora plans to make a bail application on Thursday, after which magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa will deliver a ruling on Friday.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) alleges that Mupinga owned four aggressive dogs, including three pitbulls and a Rottweiler. On May 30, the NPA claims, Mupinga negligently left the dogs unmuzzled at his rented residence in New Bluffhill.
According to the charges, the dogs escaped over a short perimeter wall and attacked Samuel Machara, who was walking nearby. Machara sustained deep wounds on his neck, hands, legs, and stomach, which led to his death. When police arrived at the scene, they found Mupinga’s white pitbull bloodstained.
In addition to the homicide charge, Mupinga faces pending allegations of vehicle theft, drug dealing, and rape.
The four dogs involved were seized by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and have since been euthanized.